Process for the production of iron oxide containing catalysts

ABSTRACT

A process for the production mixed metal oxide containing catalysts comprising the steps of:  
     dissolution of metals Me=Fe, Ni, Al, Cu, Co, Zn, Cr, in nitric acid providing an acid solution of metal mixed nitrate products, aluminium can be added either as nitrate or hydroxide;  
     addition of a carbonhydrate, an amino acid and/or a carboxylic acid;  
     decomposition at 250-700° C. with free air supply of the acid solution by spraying onto the inner surface of one or more rotary kilns, into a spray calcination fluid bed, into a tower kiln or into a steel band conveyor furnace to iron oxide and NO x ; and optionally  
     regeneration of the formed NO x  to concentrated nitric acid and recycling of produced nitric acid to the first step.

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the production of metal oxide being useful for the preparation of mixed metal oxide catalysts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The state of the art methods for preparing mixed metal oxide include use of process by precipitation. Metal sulphate is a cheap pure raw material and good catalysts can be obtained by coprecipitation, but with a too high sulphur level. On the other hand, metal nitrate is an expensive raw material, and dissolving metals in nitric acid require the expensive nitric acid.

[0003] The known methods for preparing mixed metal oxide catalysts are costly in terms of purchasing the acid and basic raw materials and after the precipitation, washings and waste-water treatment.

[0004] This is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,645, where Jennings et al. prepare a solution of iron nitrate and chromium nitrate, to which sodium carbonate is added and the formed iron and chromium hydroxides are washed before drying and decomposition to oxides.

[0005] The general object of this invention is, thus, to provide an improved process for the production of mixed metal oxide containing catalysts by simplified and inexpensive steps. Now an alternative manufacturing route based on metals via nitrates and nitric acid recovery has been invented and developed.

[0006] Compared to the known methods, the advantages of the invention include a high quality catalyst, and furthermore, high product yield through reduced loss of material during the processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The process of this invention comprises the following steps involving the metals Me=Co, Zn, Fe, Ni, Cr and/or Cu:

[0008] (a) Dissolution of Me in nitric acid providing an acid solution of (exemplified by a valence 3 metal) Me(NO₃)₃ by reaction (i):

2Me+8HNO₃→2 Me(NO₃)₃+2 NO+4H₂O

[0009] (b) Optionally mixing of different metal nitrate solutions, e.g. Fe(NO₃)₃ solution with Co(NO₃)₃ solution. Aluminium is added either as nitrate or hydroxide.

[0010] (c) Optionally, addition of promoters. If promoters (PR) as PR=Na, K, Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr are desired in the final product, they are added as metal nitrates, carbonates, hydroxides etc to the dissolved Me(III) nitrate. The promoters are preferably added in the ratio range on molar base <PR/Me<0.2.

[0011] The final solution will be Me(NO₃)₃ solution, optionally containing promoters' PR nitrates.

[0012] The HNO₃ consumption will increase if NO₂ is formed.

[0013] (d) Thermal decomposition of the combined metal nitrate solution and promoter acid nitrate solution into mixed metal oxide Me₂O₃ or hydroxyoxide MeOOH optionally containing the promoters as oxides or nitrates depending on the chemical nature of the promoter. NO_(x) gases are also formed during the reaction. The reaction for the pure decomposition of Me(NO₃)₃ will be as reaction (ii):

2Me(NO₃)₃ →Me₂O₃+6NO₂+1.5O₂

[0014] (e) Optionally regeneration of NO_(x) gases from reaction (i) and (ii) in one or in a series of absorption towers to more or less concentrated nitric acid according to reaction (iii):

6NO₂+3 H₂O+1.5O₂→6HNO₃

[0015] or for NO (iv)

2NO+H₂O+1.5O₂→2HNO₃

[0016] Then the overall reaction for iron alone, i.e. when (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are combined, is:

Total: 2Me+1.5O₂→Me₂O₃

[0017] When only the synthesis of the main component Me₂O₃ is considered, we see that for the total reaction no by-product is formed and the other raw material, oxygen, is taken from the air via the absorption towers.

[0018] The total reaction is somewhat influenced when promoters are included in the mixed metal nitrate solution. The influence is dependent on whether the promoter PR is added as nitrate, hydroxide, oxide etc. If it for example is added as KNO₃ with the molar ratio of K/Me=0.01 to total reaction scheme will be:

2Me+1.5O₂+0.02KNO₃+0.01H₂O→Me₂O₃+0.01K₂O+0.02HNO₃.

[0019] This results in a slight formation of HNO₃ that can be used as dissolution.

[0020] NO and NO₂ or generally NO_(x) being formed in the above reactions (i) and (ii) is converted into nitric acid again in absorption towers. Reactions (iii) and (iv) result in formation of nitric acid that is recycled and utilised for dissolution of Me, which is the main raw material in the process.

[0021] Though, due to minor loss of the nitric acid, occasionally small amounts of nitric acid have to be added to the regenerated acid in order to maintain or enhance dissolution of the raw material.

[0022] Decomposition in the above step (d) may be performed by spraying the acidic solution from step (a), (b) or (c) onto the inner surface of one or more rotary kilns, into spray calcination fluid beds, into a steel band conveyor furnace or into a tower falling particles kiln with free supply of air at 250-700° C. However, by using these methods, measures may be taken in order to prevent sticking of the product to the inner surface of the rotary kiln, e.g. by means of one or more sliding chains.

[0023] Adhesion of the prepared material from the decomposed acid solution to the inner side of said furnaces or kilns might also be prevented by other physical or chemical means.

[0024] The metal oxide product is further improved by minor addition of an organic compound capable of reducing nitrates. The reaction between the organic compound and the nitrate will then generate a faster decomposition of the nitrates. Furthermore, the powder is weakly agglomerated and possible to crush in low energy milling device.

[0025] The method of the invention is suitable for adding different additives (e.g. promoters in the case of catalyst, or other elements for other purposes) before decomposition. One way to decompose this solution to metal oxide(s) is continuously dripping the stock solution into a rotary kiln. The temperature in the rotary kiln may vary between 250-700° C., preferable 350-600° C. An essential feature of the invention comprises utilization of additives selected from organic compounds added to the nitrate stock solution. By adjusting additive quantity and/or temperature in the rotary kiln it is possible to control powder characteristics (phase content/crystalline structure, surface area, particle size, microstructure etc). Without such organic additives, when adding such an additive, the powder will freely run out from the rotary kiln making a continuous process possible. Preferred additives are selected from carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, lactose, sucrose or other saccharides), glycine and carboxylic acid. Moreover, the powder is agglomerated in hard and large lumps. Low quantity or none of these additives results always in α-Fe₂O₃. High quantity of an organic additive results in γ-F₂O₃ when the pyrolysis temperature is low.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0026] Iron was dissolved in nitric acid together with nitrates of the promoters such as Cr, Cu, K and Na in the required proportions and a stock solution was obtained. This solution was dripped at given feed rate into rotary kiln at 350° C. Powder characteristics were measured using XRD analysis and isothermal nitrogen adsorption for specific surface area (according to Brunauer, Emmett and Teller theory). Surface area on synthesised powder (measured by nitrogen adsorption) was 73 m²/g.

[0027] Disadvantage: The powder was strong adhered to the rotary kiln walls and very hard particles.

Example 2

[0028] The stock solution was prepared similar to Example 1. Then a certain quantity of glucose was dissolved corresponding to the 1/6 of the so-called “stoichiometric ratio” between oxidising (nitrates) and reducing (glucose) reactants. This solution was dripped at given feed rate into a rotary kiln at 400° C.

[0029] X-ray analysis resulted in α-Fe₂O₃ with parameters a=5.035 Å, c=13.758 Å and crystallite size D⁽⁰²⁴)=285 Å.

[0030] Surface area on synthesised powder (measured by nitrogen adsorption) was about 50 m²/g.

[0031] SEM investigation showed a unique microstructure consisting of large porosity with cavities up to 5 μm. Using atomic-resolution TEM, a homogeneous distribution of Fe, Cu, and Cr was found. In the same time very unusual crystal morphology was observed by TEM examination.

Example 3

[0032] The stock solution was prepared similar to Example 1. Then a quantity of glucose was dissolved corresponding to a ratio greater than 1/2 of the so-called “stoichiometric ratio” between oxidising (nitrates) and reducing (glucose) reactants. This solution was dripped at given feed rate into rotary kiln at 350° C.

[0033] X-ray analysis resulted in a cubic γ-Fe₂O₃ with parameter a=8.333 Å, and crystallite size D⁽⁴⁴⁰⁾=97 Å.

[0034] Surface area on synthesised powder (measured by nitrogen adsorption) was 70 m²/g.

[0035] Such powders are used in magnetic tape memories.

Example 4

[0036] The stock solution was prepared similar to Example 1. Then a certain quantity of glucose was dissolved corresponding to the 1/2 of the so-called “stoichiometric ratio” between oxidising (nitrates) and reducing (glucose) reactants. This solution is dripped at given feed rate into rotary kiln at 400° C. X-ray analysis resulted in α-Fe₂O₃ and γ-Fe₂O₃.

Example 5

[0037] A mixture of metallic Co and Fe in the molar ratio 1:1 is dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. Aluminium hydroxide is added to an overall molar ratio of Fe:Co:Al of 1:1:2. Finally KNO₃ is added so the molar percentage is 1%.

[0038] This solution is dripped at a constant feed rate into a rotating kiln at 350° C.

[0039] The powder is crushed, sieved, mixed with graphite and pelletised.

[0040] The pellets are calcinated in a conveyor furnace at a temperature of 550° C.

[0041] The pellets are reduced in pure hydrogen and are useful as catalyst for both ammonia synthesis and decomposition.

Example 6

[0042] A mixture of metallic Cu and Zinc oxide, ZnO, is dissolved in concentrated HNO₃. The molar ratio is 1:1. Alumina is added to an overall molar ratio of Cu:Zn:Al of 1:1:1. The slurry is decomposed at 350° C.

[0043] The powder is crushed, sieved, mixed with graphite and pelletised.

[0044] The pellets are reduced in dilute hydrogen and are useful as catalyst for methanol synthesis or WGS conversion. 

1. A process for the production of metal oxide containing catalysts, where the metal is chosen from Fe, Co, Al, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr and mixtures thereof, comprising the steps of: (a) dissolution of the metal in nitric acid or providing two or more different metal nitrate solutions and subsequent mixing to obtain an acid solution of metal nitrate products; (b) addition of a carbohydrate, an amino acid and/or a carboxylic acid; (c) decomposition at 250-700° C. with free air supply of the acid solution obtained in step (b).
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate is chosen from glucose, fructose, lactose and sucrose, the amino acid is glycine and/or the carboxylic acid is citric acid.
 3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the decomposition takes place at 300-450° C.
 4. A process according to claim 2, wherein glucose is added in an amount of 0.1-0.6 of stoichiometric ratio.
 5. A process according to claim 1, comprising a further step of adding one or more promoters in the form of PR(NO₃)_(x) to the acid solution of step (a), where PR is chosen from Na, Ka, Cs, Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr and Rb.
 6. A mixed metal oxide containing catalyst produced by a process according to claim
 1. 